I recently downloaded a video clip of a Harrier crashing into the sea just off a crowded beach. The Harrier was at very low level and appeared to be in the hover.
The pilot ejected and was propelled upwards & forwards away from the aircraft as it entered the sea. The seat and pilot separated and the seat fell into the sea in front of the aircraft. The pilots canopy deployed and seemed to be fully inflated as he landed in the sea, apparently on top of the wreckage. As this happened an object was seen to come down past him trailing what seemed to be a deflated parachute canopy or streamer.
I have two questions:
1) Is it normal for a pilot to land back in the wreckage after a very low level ejection?
2) What was this other object that came down?
CC